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NORDIC LIGHT & COLOUR
141
Bathrooms
In the bathrooms, it was favorably if the tile behind the toilet
had a darker colour in order to highlight the toilet. The toilet
seats were often red to make it easier for the resident to know
where to sit. In the bathroom stronger colours were used com-
pared to other spaces. Except from being important sources for
way finding, recognition and information, colours where used
to make a comfortable feeling. One informant explained that
within the bathroom there is a sensitive meeting between the
resident and the staff and therefore it is essential to create a
sense of security and confidence, but also a pleasant feeling.
Dining rooms
Colours were used to a great extent in the dining rooms to sup-
port the residents. The plates where often in a deviating colour
in order to highlight the food. Some of the informants gave
examples of the difficulties in the meal situation. If the plates
were white and the meal consisted of food in light colours such
as potatoes, sauce, porridge, yoghurt and milk, it was dif-
ficult for the residents to see what was on the plate. This was
described by one of the informants:
“I mean, you don’t have a
white plate and then white porridge and white milk. You wouldn’t
see a thing. Well, preferably you should maybe have a blue plate
or something like that, then you see what you get on the plate”
(4,
author translation).
It was also important to use placemats in other colours than
the plate, and to use coloured glass. Another aspect was that
the meal should be inviting and appetizing in order to encour-
age the resident to eat. One informant pointed out the impor-
tance of having tables and chairs in different colour than the
colour of the flooring or carpeting. For example, if the furniture
was in the same colour as the floor, the resident could have
problems to know where to put a glass or a plate.
Floors, carpets and stairways
Most of the informants pointed out the importance of hav-
ing floors or carpets in light colours. Persons with cognitive
impairments such as dementia, perceived dark floors or dark
spots in the floor surface as a hole, or a deepness and some-
times they believed it was water. Many residents were afraid of
walking on such surfaces and this made it problematic when
for instance one area had a light floor but the corridor outside
this area had a darker colour. This could make the residents
to refuse to walk outside the lighter area. One of the staff ex-
plained the problem with dark floor surfaces:
“Because they perceive the dark colour as a deep, that here there
is no floor to walk on. Here it is a precipice. Then you can experi-
ence a certain resistance, that no I will not go there and then they
get very upset if they get any closer. They do believe they will fall
down in this”
(6, author translation).
Several of the informants reported that they had to remove car-
pets or change floors due to this. One informant thought it was
important to use contrasting stripes in the stairways for safety
and mark each step in order to facilitate for the residents so
they can see where the steps ends.
Other colour aspects in the indoor environment
Patterns
Varying pattern was problematic for persons with cognitive
disabilities. When using table cloths with patterns the residents
got very focused on the small things and often tried to pick
up or remove these things. It was the same problem with the
curtains or wall papers. In order to avoid getting the residents
upset or disturbed, the staff often chose curtains in one colour
or with few different colours. The wall papers were often in
light colours without patterns or with few patterns or different
colours. Some of the informants reported that the wall papers
they had before had to be replaced due to the negative effect on
the residents.
Glare or reflections
Some of the informants also discussed problems with glaring
and reflection. When it was dark outside, the window could be
frightening for the residents when they saw themselves. This
was also a problem with mirrors. Many residents with dementia
could not understand their own appearance, and as a conse-
quence they did not recognize themselves when looking into
the mirror. This could be very frightening and scaring for the
persons, and something the staff had to take this into consid-
eration when planning the seating. One informant talked about
the importance of avoiding glare within facilities for elderly.
For example, if there is a window at the end of the corridor the
sunlight can make the floors look shiny and even wet.
Specific colours
Several of the informants reported that they found red colours
to be useful in the indoor environment. The red colours seemed
to have a positive impact upon the residents and stimulated
them in some way. The reddish colours were also perceived
as warm and pleasant by both residents and staff. Red colours
were used both in built-in furniture such as panels and in furni-
ture like chairs and tables, and in bathroom fittings. Red details
were also used in china and other kitchen devices. However,
some of the informants pointed out that they tried to avoid very
bright red colours which they thought could have a negative
impact upon the residents. One informant reported that red co-
lours was connected to negative events for some ethnic groups,